Writing Tools (10th Anniversary Edition)

55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer

By: Roy Peter Clark

Narrated by: Neil Kaplan

A special 10th anniversary edition of Roy Peter Clark's bestselling guide to writing, featuring five bonus tools.

Ten years ago, Roy Peter Clark, America's most influential writing teacher, whittled down almost thirty years of experience in journalism, writing, and teaching into a series of fifty short essays on different aspects of writing. In the past decade, Writing Tools has become a classic guidebook for novices and experts alike and remains one of the best loved books on writing available.

Organized into four sections, "Nuts and Bolts," "Special Effects," "Blueprints for Stories," and "Useful Habits," Writing Tools is infused with more than 200 examples from journalism and literature. This new edition includes five brand new, never-before-shared tools.

Accessible, entertaining, inspiring, and above all, useful for every type of writer, from high school student to novelist, Writing Tools is essential reading.

Critic reviews

"Roy Peter Clark knows more about writing than anybody I know who is not currently dead." —Dave Barry, author of Dave Barry's History of the Millennium (So Far)

"Clark is a joyful, brilliant teacher who unlocks the mysteries of literary flow. This book is one to keep near the keyboard." —Anne Hull, national reporter for the Washington Post

"Roy is the Obi-Wan Kenobi of writing teachers....Like its author, Writing Tools is brilliant, openhearted, and indispensable; it's easily one of the best books ever published about our craft."—Thomas French, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Zoo Story

"Clark is a national treasure that needs to be mined aggressively." —DeWayne Wickham, USA Today

"For all the aspiring writers out there--whether you're writing a novel or a technical report--a respected scholar at Florida's Poynter Institute for Journalists pulls back the curtain on the art."—Teresa K. Weaver, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Pull out a favorite novel or short story, and read it with the guidance of...Clark's ideas....Readers will find new worlds in familiar places. And writers will be inspired to pick up their pens."—Boston Globe

"No matter what you write--a blog, a love letter, the next great American novel--Writing Tools offers practical advice that is a pleasure to read."—St. Petersburg Times

Been looking for a written treasure?

Here’s a map, the insights, and the tools to unearth a lifetime of creative writings!

Amazing Narration

The narrator was truly the heart and soul of this book. His inflections and verve brought each page to life and provided a levity I would not have otherwise gotten from print alone. The book itself is an essential tool to every writer... And no writer should report to work without their tools.

Refreshing

This is the first non fiction book I've listened to in a long while that has kept me interested. The advice and exercises don't take a lot of time and get to the point. The narration is lively for such a 'typically dull' topic (unless you love the craft of writing as I and many others do) and the narrator does a great job of infusing personality into the examples rather than reading it all straight. Overall, I found it a refreshing addition to my library.

This book helped me kickstart my own book!

My friend recommended this book to me when I told him I was working on a book proposal and worried about whether I was writing it in an accessible enough tone. I am so grateful he did. Roy Peter Clark has a charming and engaging way of explaining simple and effective writing strategies for the average person who forgot everything they learned about grammar or maybe never learned it well to begin with. I’m hooked on this author and have listened to all his other audiobooks. They’ve all helped me a little along the way. The narrator for this one is funny and strikes the right tone so it helps keep it interesting.

Great book ruined by narrator

I’ve read the text and found it an illuminating guide. While Mr. Kaplan is an energetic reader, his shtick performance detracts and eventually alienates, robbing me of the joy i have always derived from Mr. Clark’s works. I have, unfortunately, stopped the audiobook.